Foreign Relations of the United States, 1989–1992, Volume XXXI, START I, 1989–1991

109. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to Secretary of State Baker, Secretary of Defense Cheney, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Powell)¹

Washington, April 11, 1990

SUBJECT

• START Issues to be Addressed Before the May Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (U)

During the meeting last week with Soviet Foreign Minister Shevardnadze, the two sides agreed on a list of issues to be addressed in the negotiations in preparation for the May 16–19 Ministerial meeting. These issues range from major policy issues on which the. U.S. does not have a fully fleshed-out position to technical issues for which the Negotiator has primary responsibility. (S)

The attached lists sort these issues into three groups, based on the level of attention they require in Washington. First are the major policy questions that reflect either internal USG or U.S.–Soviet differences. I have asked Arnie Kanter’s “Ungroup” to press ahead on these and have suggested tentative dates for us to meet on those that may require our personal attention. (S)

Second is a list of the issues that the Arms Control Policy Coordinating Committee should resolve. This list may grow as the Delegation requests additional guidance in the weeks ahead. Issues that cannot be resolved at the PCC will be quickly advanced for more senior-level consideration. This schedule is being circulated separately to PCC members. (S)

Third is a list of those issues for which the Negotiator has instructions or is best positioned to recommend next steps. (S)

Certainly the progress we will be able to make toward an agreement depends critically on the Soviets. For our part, however, we must be ready to take full advantage of any opportunities that present themselves. (S)

Brent Scowcroft²

Attachment

Paper Prepared in the National Security Council³

Washington, April 9, 1990

START Issues for Principals

Issue	Tentative Meeting Dates
	Ungroup	Principals
1. Central Limits — SLCMs — ALCMs — Mobile ICBM Sublimits — Heavy ICBM Limits	4/16&19	4/23
2. New Kinds — ASBMs — ICCMs	4/19	4/23
3. Inspections — PPCM — SSI	4/24	4/27
4. RV Counting — New Types Definition for Ballistic Missiles — RV Attribution for New Types	4/26	4/27
5. Third Country Basing/Inspections	4/30	5/4

Attachment

Paper Prepared in the National Security Council⁴

Washington, April 9, 1990

START Interagency Issues

Issue	Lead	Instructions to Geneva by:
Washington Action
1. Phasing of Reductions	Del	April 16
2. Rail Garrison Issues	Del	April 16
3. Heavy Bomber Definition	JCS	April 25
4. Initial Accountability	Backstopping	April 25
5. Cooperative Measures to Assist NTM	DCI	April 25
6. Strategic R&D Boosters	DCI/JCS	April 25
7. Space Launch Vehicles	TBD	May 2
8. Throw-weight	OSD	May 2
9. Pre-inspection Movement Restrictions	State	May 2
10. Inspecting Missiles in Canisters	Backstopping	May 2
11. Conversion or Elimination of Non-deployed Missiles	State	May 2

Attachment

Paper Prepared in the National Security Council⁵

Washington, April 9, 1990

START Issues for Geneva

1. Basing Terminology

2. Rapid Reload Details

3. Restrictions on Test and Training Launchers

4. Telemetry Issues

— data exchange

— exemptions from encapsulation ban

— signal strength

5. Mobile ICBMs

— basing areas

— movements

— verification

6. Launchers on Submarines

— undergoing overhaul and conversion

— prior to sea trials

7. Use of Terms “Produce” and “Develop”

8. Duration

9. Support Equipment

10. Unique Identifiers

11. Definition of Inspection Site

12. Precision of Coordinates in the MOU

13. Restructuring the Inspection Protocol

1. Source: George H.W. Bush Library, Bush Presidential Records, Brent Scowcroft Collection, USSR Chronological Files, OA/ID 91122–001, START Files, Soviet Power Collapse in Eastern Europe—Strategic Arms Control (October 1989–April 1990). Secret. Sent to Scowcroft for his signature under cover of an April 9 memorandum from Davis. (Ibid.)
2. Scowcroft signed the memorandum “Brent” above his typed signature.
3. Secret.
4. Secret.
5. Secret.